Good out of Bad

"God can create a lot of good things out of bad things."

That's what one of my friends said to me this morning.  She has been through some hard times, including a devastating car accident which has resulted in 20+ surgeries! 

Are there "bad things" going on in your life right now?  As you seek the Lord, look for the good things which He will create from your situation.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  [Romans 8:28]

In Gethsemene

"How many times have You enfolded me in the arms of love --- and I?

I gave You the kiss of Judas."

~The Holy Hour

Snared

II Timothy 2:26 talks about those being caught in the snare of the devil.  The verses leading up to it explain how to help rescue someone in Satan's snare.






And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be kind to everyone, gentle, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition that God perhaps would grant them repentance that they may know the truth.  (II Timothy 2:24, 25)




Rescuing someone caught in the snare of Satan doesn't work by pulling in the opposite direction with all of our might through heavy persuasion, shunning, accusations, or even just giving up on them as a hopeless case.  It requires:




1.  Not being quarrelsome
2.  Kindness
3.  Gentleness
4.  Ability to teach
5.  Patience
6.  Humility






There is one way, however, in which we want to be forceful.  That is through prayer and fasting.




TV~  (Today's Verse)


And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.     [Mark 9:29]

Thinking We Deserve More

Perhaps it's the American mindset: When one works hard, good results and reward follow.  Perhaps we apply this mindset to our parenting.  Years of hard work, raising our children in the Lord, will have great results, right? 

Think about what happened with God and the Israelites.  He was the perfect parent.  After rescuing them from slavery, he led them clearly day and night and provided food for them every day.  What did God get?  Idol worship, complaining and immorality. 


TV~  (Today's Verse)
What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? [Isaiah 5:4]

Blind for Years

How many years was the man born blind waiting for that moment when the works of God were made manifest in him?  How many years did Joseph spend as a slave and in prison before he realized God's ultimate purpose for his life?


Perhaps we too have been suffering for years, not realizing that God has a specific purpose for it all.


TV~
 I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. [Psalm 52:8b]

Giving up Something for Lent

I gave up something for Lent this year:  sweets.  "Has it been hard?" a friend asked.  Yes, it has been hard.  I look forward to Sundays, the celebration day when I can have sweets.  Lent starts forty days before Easter, not counting Sundays.

Whenever I want something sweet,  instead of eating it, I thank Jesus for all He gave up for me.  This is a small token of my love for Him and allows me to deny myself and remember Him.

TV~  (Today's Verse)
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  [I John 3:16]